Page 14 of Coveted By the Alpha Pack

Crouching down before him, Grace fixes Joseph with a piercing stare, tapping her temple as she speaks. “I know your intention, Joseph. Your wolf squealed on you,” she says, her words a chilling reminder of her uncanny intuition.

As she rises to her feet, I extend my hand, and she accepts it, curling into my side. Together, we stand as a united front, unwavering in our resolve. “Jakob, throw him into the jail they have here,” Grace commands, her voice firm as Nic moves to restrain Joseph with industrial cuffs. Despite his protests, Grace remains unmoved, her confidence unwavering.

“I can’t shift!” Joseph yells, desperation creeping into his voice.

“Your wolf is not happy with you and will not grant you his form,” Grace retorts, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. “You want to kill me, and he won’t let you. He knows the good I intend for your pack.”

Grace hugs me tighter, and I press a kiss to her forehead, feeling a surge of pride and admiration for my mate. What she lacks in physical strength, her wolf more then makes up for with her unwavering determination and cunning. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges ahead, stronger than ever before.

Chapter 9

Grace

-Sweet but Psycho- Ava Max-

I feel like I’m losing my mind sometimes with what my wolf has me do. She assures me it’s for the best for the packs. We have enemies everywhere, including my half-crazed ex-baby daddy who’s still running around causing trouble.

Sitting between Ethan and Nic on the dais, I watch as the pack members put their written votes for the alpha trials into the ballot box. Christos and Jakob move among them, offering help and answering questions. Their presence is a comforting reassurance amidst the tension.

“What made you choose the alpha trials?” Nic asks, his hand squeezing mine in a gesture of solidarity.

“A strong alpha is integral to a strong pack. If we allowed things to go how they were, Joseph would have bullied his way into the mantle without contest,” I explain, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. My wolf echoes my sentiment, her voice a whisper in the back of my mind, urging me to stand firm in my decision.

I glance over at Nic and offer him a reassuring smile. “True alpha lines only exist in the Murphy, Volkov, and Jamerson packs. Everywhere else, it’s diluted. Betas can become an alpha through battle and deed. It’s a transformation within them. Their wolf decides that they have earned it,” I share, drawing upon the knowledge my wolf has bestowed upon me.

As the voting continues, a sense of anticipation hangs in the air, mingling with the undercurrent of uncertainty. We’re on the brink of a pivotal moment for this pack. It’s a moment that will determine their future and test their strength like never before. And as the alpha trials draw near, I can’t shake the feeling that our greatest challenges are yet to come.

After several hours of intense voting, the time has come to count the ballots. With a sense of anticipation, we divide the stack between the five of us and begin the meticulous process of counting the names. As we tally the votes, four names emerge as consistent contenders, and a smile tugs at the corners of my lips. Bodhi, Quinn, Luca, and Jack.

At the end of it all, I step behind the whiteboard and carefully write the names. My eyes scan the crowd, searching for the chosen candidates. I spot three familiar faces, but then I realize Jack isn’t a male. My smile widens at the realization, pleased to see a female challenger throwing her hat into the ring.

“Here are our four contestants for the Alpha trials,” I announce, spinning the whiteboard around for all to see. Stepping aside, I watch as the challengers approach. It’s a historical moment, the first time in history a female stands among the contenders for the alpha trials.

“There are four sections to the trials: intelligence, cunning, strength, and hand-to-hand combat,” I explain, my gaze piercing as I address the group. The three male contestants exchange glances, their confidence unwavering as they look towards Jack.

“Gentlemen?” I draw their attention back to me, my words laced with authority. “With a word, I can put you on your knees. Never underestimate a female who wants to win. We’re ruthless.” Allowing my wolf to rise to the surface, I lock eyes with each of them, the weight of my gaze leaving no room for doubt.

As Jakob takes over to explain the trials ahead, I feel a nudge at my side from both Ethan and Nic. “You know I hate bullies. The boys’ club deserves to be shaken up a bit. If she doesn’t win, I want to bring her to our pack as a beta,” I confess, my eyes never leaving Jack’s determined expression. She’s holding her own against the male challengers, and I have no doubt she’s destined for greatness.

-The next morning-

Last night, we feasted with what was left of the Wolverton pack, the tension palpable as we assessed the potential candidates for our pack’s future. The four contestants sit at our table, their presence a stark reminder of the responsibility resting on our shoulders. Jack and her partner sit close together, their hands intertwined, while the guys engage in conversation about compatible mates, their voices low but charged with anticipation.

I furrow my brows, studying the males before glancing at Nic for guidance. He smiles knowingly, his eyes flickering with a mixture of amusement and determination. “It’s an option since fated mates are so rare these days,” he explains, his gaze shifting to the young males seated before us. “Basically, an elder puts you through a series of tests separately and compares responses.”

As I observe the contestants, I come to learn that Bodhi is more of a romantic, hopeful that he’ll meet his mate in the future. The other two males, however, are more pragmatic, seeking a mate to calm their impulsive wolves.

Considering all I’ve learned, I decide that Bodhi and Jack are the best choices for our pack’s future. However, fairness dictates that they must undergo the trials like everyone else. This morning, Christos has handed out the first of three tests, focusing on intelligence. So far, only Jack has delved into it, her determination evident as she attempts to solve the puzzle.

“It doesn’t have a correct answer,” Quinn announces, pushing away from the table in frustration.

“Is that your final answer?” Christos queries, his tone neutral as he approaches.

“Yes, it doesn’t have a solution,” Quinn replies, his head tilted in challenge.

“Hmm. Let’s see what everyone else says,” Christos says cryptically before stepping away, leaving us all to ponder the implications of his words. The suspense hangs in the air like a thick fog, hinting at the trials and tribulations yet to come.

An hour has passed, and Christos calls time, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere of the hall. He gathers up the tests, his movements deliberate, and he and Jakob study each one with furrowed brows. “We have a tie. Quinn and Jack,” Christos announces, the words hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

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